In this second book in the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart tells the story of Gabriel, 13, a newly freed slave trying to make a name for himself as a jockey. Gabriel has won two races in his hometown, Kentucky, but there’s no fame for an African American jockey in the South. He is excited and scared when his boss sends him to New York to race in the Saratoga Chase. Gabriel expects to get a taste of freedom in Saratoga, but, instead, he learns that the North supplies its own brand of injustice.
This historical novel set in the midst of the Civil War explores racial tensions in both the North and the South. Gabriel is believable as a child of the period. The fast pace and emphasis on athletic competition will draw in some reluctant readers. The plot packs no surprises, but delivers readers to a satisfying, if predictable, conclusion. A lengthy historical note and a bibliography add to the book’s educational value.
DweebMeter: 2.5/5
